Gabriella: when did your passion for music start? Was there a specific event that you remember triggereing it? You play drums, but did you start with that or with a different musical instrument?
Sergio: I was about 15, and while visiting a cousin for the first time, I remember our mothers sipping coffee upstairs, while we sneaked into the basement where he had a fully loaded music room.
He was a drummer and of course showed me his instrument. The minute I tried to bang the drums and cymbals a couple of times, I realized that was all I wanted to do for the rest of my life.
I really did not care for other instruments although I used to mimic bass players, guitarists and vocalist. I grew up in a family where everyone loved music although noone actually played an instrument. I do recall imitating other instruments but it was only when I encountered the drums that I decided to actually play music.
Gabriella: did your parents support you or did they envision a different path for you?
Sergio: when I told my parents I wanted to play the drums, they had tried to direct me towards the bass or guitar or keys because we lived in a condo at that time and my parents were concerned about our neighbors level of tolerance (I find that amusing now, but not so much back then) when I cleary stated: “drums or nothing” they gave up and agreed to give me a budget to get a used set.
My father told me: “find out who the best teacher is; it’s not about what do you choose to do but how will you do it”. He was a sales man and wanted me to take over or help with his business or perhaps that I would become a lawyer but he never opposed to my musical endeavors.
My mother, similarly, was very supportive and even when I left the house to move far away from here was nothing short of supportive and understanding.
Gabriella: have you attended any music schools and if so which ones?
Sergio: I studied privately in Modugno, near Bari at the "Accademia Musicale Battista Bia" under the guidance of Michele Di Monte.
Right after I moved to Torino Italy where I was lucky to meet (and study for a few months) with Enrico Lucchini, one of the Guru of Italian drumming.
After that I left to to work on cruise ships for a few years, which allowed me to learn more styles, save money and travel worldwide.
A scholarship to attend Berklee College allowed me to move to Boston and to refine my skills with amazing teachers from 95 to 98.
I never stopped learning and I truly believe that the end of a cycle of studies is actually a departure rather than an arrival.